Flora and Fauna of Alassio

Flowers present on the whole the territory

Besides having a rightly famous and well frequented beach, Alassio has an unknown upland worthy of being known and appreciated by tourists.
Although some flowers only grow in particular areas of the territory, there are very many species which have adapted themselves to growing anywhere, even in places where there is only a handfull of soil to anchor their roots.
Some species are rather modest in appearance, others have brightly coloured corollas and they all contribute to decorate slopes, paths, streams, banks and roads, brushwood, fields and rocky areas.
Flowers are so abundant for two main reasons: the favourable climatic conditions and the natural composition of the soil. In fact vast areas of hilly ground are covered by layers of loamy soil, naturally rich of nutritious elements; it is composed of very tiny particles and in case of rain it compacts very easily retains the water thus allowing the plants to overcome, without damage, for long dry periods.
Starting the route from the sports ground, after about a kilometre we reach Marcarino Bend (regione Serre), recognisable by the growing of Helichrisum: From this place we can enjoy the exceptional panorama of the gulf of Alassio. Then, after going through a wood of oak, pine and helm, ash and chestnut trees, we reach the church of San Bernardo which was destroyed by the earthquake of 1877.

Regione Serre - San Bernardo: the flora

The flora on the western hill is rather varied and besides typical Mediterranean species, it includes others which are typical of the humid and shady areas of the bush-wood.
The first ones to appear are the whitish stems of the house leek reaching out for the sun: these plants growing on dry and rocky soils prosper near the large bend facing the nearby Laigueglia.
On the rocky slopes of the promontory grows an evergreen bush of a characteristic smell, it is the rosemary of the albiflorus variety known for its white and very light blue flowers.
Near the tourist complex of “Puerta del Sol” we find a strip of very white flowers (Tordiillium), Umbellifers which attract people’s attention for their petals distributed on two radii.
At the side of the road , a well known medical plant, the “borsa pastora”, grows
The bend dividing the territory of Alassio from Laigueglia’s is adorned by a soft carpet of rosy bindweeds which blossom even during the Summer months.
Once the coltures of straw flowers have been passed, the view of the gulf appears in all its beauty and the Cistus Albidus shows its delicate red corollas. Farther along, the road goes through a thick wood of ash. elm, oak and pine trees.
At the foot of the trees: violets, buttercups, daisies, bellflowers, violet and pink milkworts grow.
On the large terrasses facing inland from Alassio grow some very interesting varieties of orchids.
The northern side of the hill is rich in thyme which grows in its ideal habitat since it prefers not too sunny areas.

Flora of the "Pisciavino Mountain"

On the fields of this mountain live together like in mosaic, numerous varieties of plants typical of the mountain regions, together with vegetation typical of the Mediterranean flora.
Therefore in spring-time there grows a fascinating mixture of plants inviting nature lovers to contemplate this unusual show. This interesting mixture is to be found on the hilly area stretching from Castellaro to Mount Tirasso.
In the fields, both in spring and in the Summer, we can find field mushrooms.
Various kinds of brooms can be seen, the most common of which is called Spanish broom. It is a shrub very resistant to cold weather and drought, rather common in uncultivated places; it can grow over two meters high, its branches are cylindrical and have rare lance shaped little leaves.

Flora of "Sant’Anna ai Monti"

The intense green of myrtle and the numerous species typical of the Mediterranean bush make this a very pretty area. In the small plots of land one can admire the yellow bushes of the thorny and common yellow broom. On the edges, small irregular lavender bushes lift up their violet bracts to the sunlight.
Thyme, wild marjoram, rue, wild fennel add their aromas to the sweet scent of brooms and conifers.